A recycling plant on fire housing 900 tonnes of lithium batteries in southern France, sending a cloud of thick black smoke into the sky above the site, has raised concerns over potential environmental and health hazards. Lithium batteries, integral to many electrical devices from smartphones to electric cars, contain combustible materials and toxic chemicals that can pose significant threats in case they catch fire. The incident in Viviez underscores the inherent risks of handling and storing lithium batteries, while also highlighting the need for advancements in battery technology that ensure greater stability and less environmental impact.
The blaze at the plant, operated by French recycling group SNAM in Viviez north of Toulouse, began on Saturday and was still raging as of Sunday morning, local councillor Pascal Mazet told news agency X. The fire was expected to continue for several hours due to the slow-burning nature of the batteries, he added. The batteries were stacked up to 15 meters high at the site, which also houses 700 junk cars that are waiting for dismantling.
According to a statement from the Aveyron prefecture, which includes Viviez, there was no risk to nearby residents and the firefighters deployed at the site were doing their best to control the fire. Authorities cautioned, however, that there is a potential risk of cadmium release during major fire incidents. Environmental specialists are monitoring the situation to see whether there is any evidence of prolonged health or ecological impacts.
The blaze at the SNAM plant is the second major incident to affect storage and recycling facilities for lithium batteries in 2024, after a warehouse containing thousands of batteries caught fire in Normandy earlier this year. Both incidents have highlighted the importance of stricter safety measures and emergency response protocols for this type of battery, which is likely to become increasingly essential as the world shifts towards renewable energy sources. The blaze at the SNAM plant may prompt a review of current practices and regulations in this sector.
